What does wafted mean?
Wafted is the past tense and past participle of waft, a verb meaning to carry or move something lightly through the air. In literal use, a breeze may waft the smell of rain, the sound of distant bells, or a fall of leaves. The word can also function attributively before a noun, as in “a wafted scent,” and figuratively it suggests that an idea, feeling, or piece of news has been conveyed gently and indirectly. Its literary, slightly poetic tone comes partly from its long history and partly from the gentle motion it evokes. Wafted is not limited to strictly physical movement: “a wafted rumour” uses the word to suggest that news has drifted or been carried to someone. In careful prose, “wafted” is especially effective when the movement is light, gradual, and sensed rather than directly grasped. It is therefore more evocative than plain words such as “carried,” while still remaining clear and idiomatic.
To carry, move, or transmit something lightly through the air.
"The evening breeze wafted the scent of jasmine through the open window."
The past tense and past participle have the same form.
Carried, moved, or transmitted through the air, especially a scent, sound, or feeling.
"A wafted scent of jasmine drifted into the room."
This use is chiefly literary and is typically found before a noun.
A wafted scent can announce a garden long before anyone steps through the gate.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wafted come from?
Wafted is formed from waft with the regular English past-participle ending -ed. The English verb dates from the late sixteenth century and draws on obsolete Germanic forms associated with a breeze or breath. Its literary and figurative senses developed from the basic idea of something moving lightly through the air.
Related word forms
How wafted is actually used
Wafted has a chiefly literary and poetic tone, evoking gentle, gradual movement through the air. It may be used literally or figuratively and commonly functions attributively as a participial adjective before a noun.
Easily confused with wafted
Wafted means carried or moved lightly through the air, whereas waded means walked through shallow water.